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Klinski: Soccer hysteria spikes with World Cup return

By Mike Klinski
10:34 a.m. CDT June 12, 2014

United States forward Jozy Altidore (left) is congratulated by teammate Fabian Johnson after Altidore scored against Nigeria in a send-off series finale leading up to the World Cup. The U.S. will face Ghana on Monday at 5 p.m. to open group play.(Photo: Kim Klement / USA TODAY Sports)

Over the next month, 64 matches will be played in the 12 host cities of Brazil, and I will be watching as many as my job and wife allow me to without getting fired or divorced.

I'm only half joking. No other sporting event consumes my life as much as the World Cup.

I've been addicted since I saw the United States valiantly earn a second-round berth in their stone-washed denim jerseys in 1994. I watched every game in 1998 from my grandparent's home in England, seeing the sport from the perspective of a country that basically shuts down during big matches.

In 2002, I woke up in the early morning hours to see the United States' miraculous run to the quarterfinals.

And in the two tournaments since then, I've seen the interest explode in Sioux Falls. In 2006, I watched the U.S. get eliminated with less than 10 other people in a Sioux Falls bar. Four years later, another sports bar was packed to see the U.S. lose to Ghana in the quarterfinals.

This year is shaping up to be even bigger, both in on-the-field drama and television ratings.

Not excited yet? Here's 10 reasons to be interested in the World Cup.

• GO GO USA: Four years ago, Landon Donovan gave us the most iconic moment in U.S. men's soccer history when he scored in the closing minutes against Algeria to secure a spot in the second round. The United States eventually lost to Ghana, but the 2014 team is arguably better than the one that topped their group in 2010. Sure, there's no Donovan this time, but Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and Michael Bradley are among the best at their positions in the world. Jozy Altidore is, at times, the consistent goal-scorer the team has always lacked. And Fabian Johnson has had a number of highlight-reel moments on defense in the run-up games to the World Cup.

The team also has some compelling story lines. Kyle Beckerman dreamed as a kid of playing on the national team. He even left notes to his mother signed with his name and No. 15. In Brazil, he will be representing the U.S. wearing No. 15 at the age of 32. Also at age 32, DeMarcus Beasley has been written off several times from the USMNT. Now he is in prime position to start the first game in his fourth World Cup appearance.

There are some tough groups in this year's tournament, and the United States is arguably in the most difficult. According to ESPN's SPI rankings released at the time of the group draw in December, Germany is fourth, Portugal 16th, U.S. 17th and Ghana 24th.

It shows how far the U.S. team has come that they they can be in as difficult a group as they are and not immediately be written off. One prominent English pundit has picked the Americans as his tournament darkhorse. Bottom line: The United States might lose every game and they might top the group. Either scenario wouldn't be terribly surprising, which makes this group incredibly fascinating.

There's also these storylines: Will the U.S. shake off their curse against Ghana and finally beat the team that has eliminated them in the last two tournaments? Can the U.S. contain superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portuguese teammates? How much will Jurgen Klinsmann's inside knowledge of the German team help in the final game of the group stage?

• JURGEN:

The United States won't win the World Cup. Just ask Coach. "We cannot win this World Cup, because we are not at that level yet," Klinsmann told the New York Times. "For us, we have to play the game of our lives seven times to win the tournament."

It's refreshing to hear a coach be so realistic about expectations heading into the tournament. But he's not just good with the media. He is, arguably, the best coach the team has had since they started making the World Cup in 1990. He's not afraid to make controversial roster moves (see the Donovan decision) and has done what he was called on to do: Shake things up. He's assembled a strong team and has adjusted tactics to take advantage of the U.S. speed and athleticism, something other countries have always struggled to match.

Plus, his goal celebrations are phenomenal. Just cue up the "Sprockets" theme from old 1990s Saturday Night Live episodes after the U.S. scores.

• AMERICAN OUTLAWS:

Soccer is a sport that's best viewed with a group of fellow fanatics. But whether you are a die-hard or a newcomer to the World Cup, the members of the national team's supporters group in Sioux Falls will make you feel welcome. During U.S. games, and during some other big matches, members plan on watching games together at the Gateway (located at 3408 S. Gateway Blvd). The group of fans is incredibly knowledgable about the sport and will answer any questions you might have. Read more about them and how you can get involved in Sunday's Argus Leader.

• ESPN COVERAGE:

In 2006, ESPN made a number of coverage mistakes, including using baseball announcer Dave O'Brien as one of their top on-air talents. The result was dumbed-down coverage that insulted soccer fans. ESPN has learned a lot since then, and their 2014 coverage plan is making me lament that FOX bought the rights in 2018 and 2022. Most of the announcers are British this time, including Ian Darke, who made the famous Donovan call against Algeria. But it's not just the announcers — all games will have some form of pre-game and post-game coverage, plus there will be a 90-minute recap show in the evening for those who missed the action during work.

• PRIMETIME TV:

Ever since 1994, time zone differences have prevented many from easy access to the World Cup. In Brazil, there will be no need to set the alarm clocks early. Most games will kick off during the workday, but two of the United States' games are at 5 p.m. Most kickoffs will be at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 and 5.

• CINDERALLA STORIES:

Like the NCAA tournament, the World Cup has had a fair share of Cinderella stories. Senegal shocked defending champion France the same year South Korea went to the semifinals in 2002. Ghana made the quarterfinals in 2010. Who are 2014's Cinderellas? Cameroon, Nigeria, Japan and South Korea don't have a chance to win the tournament, but they could shake up some groups. As for teams that do have a chance (albeit a small one), you can root for Belgium, Chile or Uruguay to topple the traditional powers.

• SECONDARY TEAMS:

Dig into your ancestry and find other teams to cheer for — I was born in England and have a strong British connection, so I'll be cheering for the Three Lions almost as much as the U.S. This isn't the NFL — you are allowed to support more than one team. Just know where you stand in case your favorite teams meet.

• THE STARS:

You don't have to be a soccer fan to recognize some of these players: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Mario Balotelli to name just a few. But there will be others you've never heard of that will contribute to an iconic moment that will be remembered four years from now at the next tournament. Who will they be? Tune in to find out.

• THE DRAMA:

The predictions have been made, but nobody knows what is going to happen. The World Cup has never failed to deliver on drama, whether it's from amazing performances, shocking results or controversial referee decisions. Every one of the three group games is important for teams looking to advance to the knockout stages, when there is the potential for penalty kicks. Who will forget Zinedine Zidane's headbutt in the 2006 final? Or Suarez's intentional handball to save Uruguay in 2010? I can't wait to see what happens this year.

And finally, a preview wouldn't be complete without a little prophecy:

• PREDICTIONS:

I leave you with my picks sure to go wrong. Team listed first is group winner.

Group A

: Brazil, Croatia.

Group B

: Spain, Netherlands.

Group C:

Columbia, Greece.

Group D:

Uruguay, England.

Group E:

France, Switzerland.

Group F:

Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Group G:

Germany, United States.

Group H:

Belgium, Russia.

Final:

Argentina beats Brazil.

COMING SUNDAY

• Soccer fandom in Sioux Falls has evolved over the years as buzz for the World Cup has never been higher.